TV artiste arrested with fake currency notes

A man said to be a TV artiste and singer was arrested last night on charges of having in his possession 151 counterfeit notes each of the 1000-rupee denomination, Mahargama police said.

Alleged brothel in Kollupitiya raided

Six females and two manageresses of an alleged brothel house situated in Kollupitiya were taken into custody by the Colombo Crimes Division.

Video: Final Randoli Perahera

The final Randoli Perahera of the Esala Festival of the Sri Dalanda Maligwa in Kandy paraded the streets last night. Here the Tusker is seen carrying the casket leaving the Maligawa. Pix by Waruna Wanniarchchi and Shane Seneviratne

Three arrested for smuggling gold at Dabolim

Two Sri Lankan nationals and an Indian were arrested by customs sleuths on Tuesday at the Dabolim international airport for smuggling gold concealed in their rectums.

GL flies to Pakistan tomorrow

In the aftermath of a meeting with Indian leaders, External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris will undertake a visit to Pakistan tomorrow to discuss matters related to bilateral relations ahead of the Commonwealth Head of Government Meeting (CHOGM).

Beware of fake marriage proposals

Police warned parents to protect their daughters from being duped by fake marriage proposals involving suspects who have used them to pay for their house rents, vehicle repair and purchase of electronic equipment

Illegal immigration: Australian campaign in the East

The Australian government has upped its campaign against illegal migrants to Australia in the Eastern Province, it is reliably learnt

Video: Fear of losing election prompts CWC attack: NUW

Nuwara Eliya District MP and National Workers Union (NWU) Deputy Leader S. P. Rajathurai told a news conference today that the attack orchestrated by the supporters of Minister Arumugam Thondaman was a reaction to his crossing over from the Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) to the NWU

Galgamuwa PS member dies in accident

Galgamuwa Pradeshiya Sabha member B. A Thilakarathne died after his vehicle veered off the road and crashed onto  a tree on the Anuradhapura-Padeniya road today.

I am no dictator, says President

President Mahinda Rajapaksa said today that many people who called him a dictator were unmindful of the fact that they were using such slogans while being on a democratic platform which allowed them the freedom to express such opinions about the President of the country

India closely monitoring polls in North

The Indian Consul General in Jaffna said that India was closely monitoring the Northern Provincial Council elections

Dozens rescued after asylum boat capsizes

More than 100 asylum seekers have been rescued after their boat capsized off Christmas Island, the Sydney Morning Herald reported

Three Sri Lankan refugees to be deported

The Union government issued orders on Monday to deport three Lankan refugees, Eela Nehru, Senthuran and ‘Italia’ Rajan alias Sundarajan, from Tamil Nadu to Sri Lanka

Manmohan mum on attending CHOGM

While thanking Sri Lanka’s External Affairs Minister G.L. Peiris for the invitation to the upcoming Commonwealth Summit, Indian Prime Minister Manmohan Singh had remained noncommittal about attending the event to be held in Sri Lanka, the Indian Express reported

Video: NE airport place yet to be found

Difficulties in finding an appropriate place had delayed the proposed Nuwara Eliya Air Port project, President Mahinda Rajapaksa yesterday said

Randoli Perahara tonight

The world renowned Randoli Perahara is currently being held in Kandy. Pictures show youth preparing for the festival that is hailed as one of the most colourful street processions the world over. Devotees also gather at the Temple of the sacred tooth relic during this time of the year. Pix by Waruna Wanniarachchi

Zuckerberg's Facebook hacked

A Palestinian researcher posted a message on Facebook CEO Mark Zuckerberg's page last week after he says the site's security team didn't take his warnings about a security flaw seriously.

Some brands of milk powder free of DCD

The Health Ministry said yesterday that seven samples of milk powder, from the stock is stored in the Port, had been found to be free of DCD when tested by the Industrial Technology Institute (ITI). The stock was therefore fit for human consumption, it said.

'Gotabayage Yuddaya' unveiled

The launch of a book by Defense Secretary Gotabhaya Rajapaksa entitled 'Gotabhayage Yuddaya' an introspective collection of events that led to the crushing of Tamil Tiger Terrorism in Sri Lanka in Sinhala (the English version of Gota's War), documented by veteran journalist C.A. Chandraprema, took place last evening at a glittering ceremony at the Grand Ballroom of the Waters Edge in Battaramulla. Picture shows, Defence Secretary Gota

Japanese princess arrives

Princess Tsuguko of Takamado, the eldest daughter of Japanese Prince Takamado arrived in Sri Lanka on Monday night on a four-day visit, following an invitation extended to her by President Mahinda Rajapaksa and First Lady Shiranthi Rajapaksa during their visit to Japan in March this year. Picture shows the Princess being received at the Bandaranaike Airport. Pix. by Deepa Adhikari

‘SL compelled to adopt ‘deterrent mechanism’ against Indian fishermen’

Sri Lanka today informed the Indian Government that it was compelled to put in place an effective ‘deterrent mechanism’ which involves the arrest Indian fishermen, producing them in court and charging a fine, as Indian fishermen continue to cross over to Sri Lanka’s territorial waters.

Upcountry parties clash

Seven vehicles were damaged in a clash between the supporters of Ceylon Workers Congress (CWC) and National Union of Workers (NUW) at Dimbulapathana a while ago, Nuwara Eliya police said PICTURES

It’s a conspiracy of a top police officer- Vaas' Attorney

Counsel appearing on behalf of former DIG Vaas Gunawardena informed Mahara Magistrate today that ‘a senior Police officer’ had led a conspiracy due to which his client is currently in custody

A visit to the Museum

Thailand’s Princess Maha Chakri Sirindhorn who arrived the country for a four-day visit, is seen at the Colombo National Museum today. (Pix by Pradeep Dilrukshana)

Army allegedly 'shoots' tusker

The Army and the Wildlife Department have begun their respective investigations into the gun shots alleged to have been fired by army officers at the iconic tusker Gemunu at the Yala National Park, which is beyond the Army’s jurisdiction

Warrant issued on NE Deputy Mayor

An open warrant for the arrest of the Nuwara Eliya Deputy Mayor Tissa Seviratne has been issued by Nuwara Eliya Magistrate Sampath Hewawasam on charges of child abuse.

New contamination scare hits NZ dairy industry

A new contamination scare hit New Zealand's multi-billion dollar dairy industry on Monday after it was revealed a milk product with excessive nitrate levels had been exported to China, the AFP reported.

Nadeeka among the best in the world

Sri Lanka javelin throw champion Nadeeka Lakmali was placed 12th in the women’s javelin throw final at the 14th IAAF World Athletics Championship 2013 at Luzhniki in Russia yesterday. REUTERS

Army Major suspended

The Army Major who was arrested last Saturday in Anuradhapura while allegedly transporting 15 kilos of cannabis was suspended from service by the Army Commander, the army spokesman said.

Sri Lanka hand-delivers invite to Indian PM

Sri Lanka's Foreign minister GL Peiris arrived in New Delhi on Sunday to hand-deliver a personal invitation to Dr. Manmohan Singh to attend the Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting in Colombo in November, NDTV reported.